Some of us may have heard the expression "like a dog in a manger." This expression is meant to refer to someone who keeps something that they do not really want in order to prevent anyone else from having it. It could also mean the attitude of certain people who are a stumbling block to other people, preventing other people from gaining something just because they themselves are unable to gain it.
In today's Gospel, we see how Jesus was really giving it to the scribes and Pharisees. In a way, the scribes and Pharisees were being and behaving like "dogs in a manger." Jesus calls them blind guides and hypocrites, preventing others from truly and really understand and experience God's love and mercy. These scribes and Pharisees had become cold and hardened to God's ways and since they could not experience God's love and mercy themselves, they became indifferent towards others and created all sorts of rules and regulations to make it difficult or even impossible for others to do so.
What about us? Have we become stumbling blocks to others? Have we become "like a dog in a manger?" Let us look honestly at ourselves, especially our attitude and behaviour towards others, and humbly and earnestly seek God's help, lest we become just like the scribes and Pharisees.
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